Two months on, ShelterBox is still delivering urgent supplies to flood-hit families in remote parts of Nepal.
Two months on from the devastating flash floods that swept through Nepal, emergency shelter is still urgently needed.
For families like Shyam Lal Shrestha, the devastation was sudden and overwhelming.
“When I saw the water rushing towards us, I realised how serious the situation was. We had very little time to think or collect our belongings. Our main priority was simply to get ourselves and our animals to a safe place."
Others, like Narayan Nepali, returned to find everything gone.
“When I reached home, I could hardly believe what I saw. My house was gone, and so was my sewing machine. Sewing was our only source of income. We are just trying to understand how we can start our lives again from here.”
Since the disaster, the Rotary Club of Byron Bay has rallied behind families who lost their homes, raising thousands of dollars to support ShelterBox Australia’s relief efforts. The charity is part of the global ShelterBox network specialising in emergency shelter for families affected by conflict or disaster.
“Living in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, we understand the devastation flooding can cause,” said Ian Dipple, the President of the Rotary Club of Byron Bay.
Byron Rotary has responded by rattling collection buckets every Thursday at the Byron Farmers Market, raising $5,000, through the generosity of local residents and visitors.
Every cent raised will go towards supporting flood victims in Nepal through the disaster-relief organisation ShelterBox.”
The charity’s teams are working alongside Rotary and local partners in Nepal, distributing tarpaulins, tents, solar lights and other essential household items.
ShelterBox Australia CEO Mike Greenslade said:
"The flash floods swept away people, homes, and livelihoods. Shelter remains an urgent need, which is why we’re supporting thousands of people.
We’re getting supplies to some of the most remote and mountainous areas, where the only way to get aid to people is by helicopter because communities have been completely cut-off.
We’ve had a great response from Australians to our appeal, including locally, and we’re extremely grateful to everyone who continues to support us so we can deliver shelter in emergencies around the world.”
Alongside its response in Nepal, ShelterBox is responding to the world’s most neglected displacement crises, supporting people with shelter and other essential items in Cameroon, Somalia, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Burkina Faso. It’s also responded twice in the Philippines this year.
To learn more about its work visit shelterboxaustralia.org.au
About ShelterBox
ShelterBox Australia is part of the global ShelterBox network, a humanitarian organisation that provides emergency shelter and aid to families devastated by disaster and conflict. Founded in partnership with Rotary International, ShelterBox has grown into a leading international disaster relief charity, recognised for its agility, impact, and commitment to dignity in crisis response. Visit www.shelterboxaustralia.org.au for more information.